Chain link



Dec. 1, 1931. PARAD|SE 1,834,173

CHAIN LINK Filed Oct. 51, 1928 .Z'nvgnfmr" {W 61. m

13g Marne/z;

Patented Dec. 1, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENTIJOFFICEEV LOUIS A. PARADISE, OF MOLINE, ILLINOIS, -A SSIGNOR TO DEERE & COMPANY," 01' MOLINE, ILLINOIS, A. CORPORATION OF'ILLINOIS CHAIN LINK.--\

Application filed October 31, Serial No. 316,297.

My invention'relates to sprocket chains of the Ewart type, and more particularly to an improved link therefor, and the object of my invention is to produce a link by theuse t which a chain canbe readily connected together or separated to free it from sprocket wheels upon which it may be mounted, so that the operator may readily manipulate the chain for the removal of links to shorten it; for the insertion of additional links to increase its length; to substitute perfect links for those which may be damaged; or permit repair of parts to which a chain maybe attached.

To separate the links of Ewart chain, or to connect them together for use, it is necessary to angle one link relative to its adjoining link, and then by a side movement of the links detach them, or attach them together; therefore, a chain composed entirely of Ewart links necessarily must be of greater length than required to fit the sprockets over whlch it operates in order to provide suflicient slack for the ends of the chains to be connected or disconnected after it has been placed on the sprockets. This slack in the chain involves the use of chain tightener, or necessitates the mounting of the sprockets so one can be shifted relative to the other, in order that the chain can be operated under the proper tension and held on the sprocket wheels. By the use of my improved link, which will readily connect with the adjoining Ewart links, l void the need for slack in the chain and, accordingly, obviate the employment of the costly and troublesome chain tightener or expensive mounting incident to shiftable sprockets.

Referring to the drawings in which simllar numerals indicate identical parts:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of part of a sprocket chain embodying my improved link, and

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

My improved link is'shown as connecting two conventional Ewart links, which are designated a and b, and in which links the side bars 1 and 2 are joined at one end by a semi circular bar 3, and at its opposite end by a circular bar 4 having a slot 5. The parts 6- ofthe 4 oper'ate a's a hook and sufiicient width to freely extend between the barsv l and 2, and serve to hold the links together. 'To' join one Ewart link with'the other, it is ne'c-f essary to position a linkat a vertical angle until the bar 31can slide freely into the circularbar 4, either the bar lor the bar 2-passing through the slot 5, depending upon the side from which the connection is made.

The angled link is then turned until in the same plane as the connected link, the hook part 6 passing between the'ba'rs 1 and 2. By reversing the "action described, the links can be disconnected. I p i As stated, it is necessary to angle one of the links to the linktfrom which it is tobe dis connected in order to separate the links. This can easily be done ifth'e chain is not mounted on sprockets, or, if so mounted, there is sufficient slack in the chain to permit its re; moval 'from'thes'prockets without being disconnected; ordinarily,however, a chain tightening device is employed having means to adjust it to slacken the chain or to give "it the degree of tension desired. v To obviate the necessityof utilizing a chain-tightening device, and'to make possible the use of Ewart chain in places where a chain-tightening device cannot be employed, Ihave' devised a novel link, the-ends of which will cooperate with the endsof Ewart links, and by means of which link'the ends of achain can be con nected after the chain has been mounted on sprocket wheels, or separated for removal therefrom, and without requiring slack inthe chain to accomplish such connection or separation; H

Myimproved link is constructed at one end similar to the hook end of other Ewart links having a slotted tubular bar 4 and a hook part 6 thereof to connect it to the bar 3 with the adjacent Ewart link a, the tubular bar 4 having a slot 5 to admit of the passage of the side bar 1 or 2 of the Ewart link a flat surfaces 7a and 8a, which contact with the ends of the circular bar 4 of the adjoin-.

ing Ewart link to which they are to beconnected. The side bars 7 and 8 are attached to the link 6 by a headed bolt or pin 9, which is inserted in suitable perforations in the flat surfaces 7a and 8a, and passes through the ar nd bar 4 of the l nk he p oj cting end of the bolt being proyide d'with a hole in "which a cotter pin 10 is utilized to hold the bolt in place and the links safely qnnectedi The b ok pa t of the link b.e gages with the bolt 9, of my improved link in a way similar to the engagement of the r hook part 6 of any Ewart link with the bar- 3 the chain can be quickly applied to.

thereof. r i

' My improved link is a valuable addition to a Ewart chain be au e. with this link i sprocket wheels. and connected together or. separated for removal from sprocket wheels tw thoi t the 'necessity'for slack in the chain, w mek ihos ble the c nnect ng 7 disconnech i315; Of the link. 5., with my improved link with-.

Wt an i g ne nk e ti e. t t e ther- Itis apparen tha n'Ei h n pr Y 'e with one, of my improved links can be, readily mounted on sprockets without the usual alter-s eki slack. and ons q t neces; sitglfor a chain'tightener.

' separately from, the chain to which it is apt-n plicabl e; f r t can be re ly m d Chainsfnow in use.

Wha Icl ni 4 V i 1. A connector link for the, typeof chain describedfand madejof sheet metal, said link comprising atubular bar at oneend having a longitndinalj 'slot a part of said bar form ing ajhook to connect with an adjacent link of said chain, side, bars. integml 'With said tubular bar: and twisted at an. angle of toward each other holesiri theffree ends] or said bars, to register with a tubular part of an a 'acent link of said chain; and a bolt exten ed; ho es;

As. a new articleofi manufacture, a chain on ector ink. made of heet me a a d: comprising a tubular bar at one end thereof hav:

mg a longitudinal slot, a Pa t Of said bari 'foifmin ahook, and. sidebars integral with said tli "ular bar and twisted at an angle of 90 toward.

e ldspi each,

f A. PARADISE;

w! l: o

.Pin 9- forms a at ach ng m a ha link can be manufactured and soldthr gh sa d t ularpart' and:

ach other and; a hole in the free 

